Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of a function organised to pay tributes to Shaheed Darshan Singh Pheruman here today, the Chief Minister said every Punjabi was concerned about these issues which had yet been hanging fire because of the “discriminatory” attitude of successive Congress governments at the Centre.

Badal said it was sad that after more than four decades of Pheruman’s martyrdom, these issues were yet to be resolved.

“Punjabis will never forgive the Congress’ attempts to deny Chandigarh to Punjab. I caution the people not to be swayed by Congress’ malicious propaganda as the party was behind Operation Bluestar and the genocide of Sikhs in 1984,” he said.

Paying tributes to Pheruman, Badal said the latter had laid down his life to press the Centre to transfer Punjabi-speaking areas and Chandigarh to Punjab. He said the SAD would take up these issues with the Centre.

The Chief Minister recalled the services rendered by Pheruman during the freedom struggle and the Gurdwara Reform Movement. He announced that beginning next year, a state-level function would be held every year on the martyr’s death anniversary. Pheruman had died while fasting.

Prominent among those present on the occasion were Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, MP, Manjit Singh Mianwind and Baljeet Singh Jalaal Usma, both MLAs, former MP Rajmohinder Singh Majithia, former MLA Manmohan Singh Sathiala and president of SAD’s district unit Veer Singh Lopoke.